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Combined Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants

KABUL, March 18, 2010  Afghan and international forces killed several militants and detained numerous suspects in operations last night in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

In Kunar province, a combined Afghan-international force went to a compound in the Chapa Dara district after residents asked for help in removing the local Taliban threat.

Intelligence information confirmed militant activity and the location of a Taliban commander believed to be responsible for planning attacks against Afghan and coalition troops. Several armed militants threatened the combined element as it surrounded the compound, forcing them to engage the insurgents. These armed militants, including the targeted Taliban commander, were killed.

The Afghan-led force called out for remaining Taliban in the compound to surrender peacefully, but the hostile fire continued. Because Taliban in the area have used innocent civilians as human shields, the decision was made for the combined force to withdraw to minimize the chance of civilian casualties. Close-air support was called in to safeguard their departure, and the security force returned to its base.

In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents for further questioning, and another combined force detained two suspected insurgents in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district.

No Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations, officials said.